Buckle

ABSTRACT

A buckle construction which adapts to use in cargo and vehicular tie-down apparatus wherein a secure and positive control is required and when operation of the tie-down permits relatively simple tightening and untightening of the strap apparatus used for such securing means.

United States Patent Johnson BUCKLE 72 Inventor: Edwin L. Johnson, 5808 Eastwood Lane, Grafton, Wis. 53024 22 Filed: Nov. 23, 1971 21] Appl.No.: 201,406

[52] US. Cl ..24/68 CD, 24/196, 24/71 R,

254/79 [51] Int. Cl. ..A44b 21/00, A44b 1 1/06 [58] Field of Search ..24/68 R, 68 A, 68 E, 68 CD, 24/68 SB, 68 CT, 271, 71 ST, 71 SK, 71 R, 270, 196; 254/79 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,324,927 12/1919 Robinson ..24/271 [451 Nov. 21, 1972 3,099,055 7/1963 Huber ..24/68 CD Primary Examiner-Hemard A. Gelak Attorney-James A; Hauer [5 7] ABSTRACT A buckle construction which adapts to use in cargo and vehicular tie-down apparatus wherein a secure and positive control is required and when operation of the tie-down permits relatively simple tightening and untightening of the strap apparatus used for such securing means.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures BUCKLE BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The prior art in this type of device discloses many buckle constructions which permit tightening of a strap about cargo or materials to be secured for any of a number of reasons. In the adaptation of standards to securing and controlling objects during transportation it has been found that the prevention of damage or the degree of security required has increased and is now, from a safety standard standpoint as well as an economical standpoint, extremely important, and in most cases absolutely essential. Along with the understandable ordinary requirements for securing and tie-down operations wherein a nylon strap or fiber strap is placed about the cargo to be tied down, the most important part of the process is the method of buckling down the strap and the ease with which the buckle can be placed in a securing position and released from said position. In present devices there are certain disadvantages in the use of metal buckles and it is for that reason that the present invention has been devised and has been found to be acceptable for use in previously prohibited situations.

SUMMARY F THE INVENTION The inventive concept of the present invention resides in the construction of a buckle of a plastic, such as nylon, in order that assembly of the buckle, utilization of the buckle along with a fiber or nylon belt, and operation of use of the buckle permits extreme tightening of the strap with the very minimum amount of personal physical force and in addition has a construction which permits release of the buckle with minimum physical force along with a safety action in releasing the buckle from its fixed tight position.

Further, the construction is intended to have a provision for a positive locked condition which becomes essential in securing cargo.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS F IG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled buckle construction having web sections of the belt secured to the sections of the buckle, as would normally be the appearance and condition of a buckle assembly holding and securing cargo in place;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the same assembled construction and condition disclosed in FIG. 1, showing the main buckle sections in cross-section and in locked securing operation;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the buckle assembly with the web section of the belt in a position prior to tightening the belt about the cargo; the buckle is open and the belt is semi-loose in its position;

FIG. 4 is a further cross-sectional view along lines 4-4 in FIG. 2 showing the cross-sectional characteristics of the two parts of the buckle and the hinge pin, as well as the web sections of the strap which wrap around the buckle portions;

catch extension to adapt through a hole therein a paddle lock for securing the buckle in a locked condition.

Referring to the drawing, in detail, the nylon construction buckle and web-type assembly become easily understood as the description of the various parts is more particularly set forth. The particular design and design lines of the buckle are obviously related to a particular style and use and changes for many reasons, some of which will be set forth, can be made to adapt to the particular type of cargo or to the width of belt or to the strength of the buckle which is to be designed for a specific or particular requirement.

The invention, as shown in the perspective in FIG. 1, is generally designated as l in its assembled relationship. The buckle is comprised, in its present form, of two principle sections, Section 2 which becomes the handle or top hinged and moving portion, and Section 3 which becomes the body or stationary section in use of the buckle. Sections 2 and 3 are hinged at one end at 4 as shown in the various views. The pin 4 is inserted through the assembled sections and is shown in detail cross-section in FIG. 4. The hinge portions of section 2, as of 30 in FIG. 4 fit complimentary hinge sectional cut outs of section 3 to form the hinge portion of buckle l.

Hinged section 2 has acut out or formed area which accommodates the-fixed belt section 22 as it encircles integral bar member 19, the belt section 22 further encircling bar section 29 of member 3. Beltsection 21 being sewn or otherwise secured to belt section 22 (after encircling as indicated the assembled buckle sections) at an area designated at 28. This provides a closed loop belt, section and is designated as the secured end of the web portion of the belt.

Obviously the sewn area 28 is of such dimension and style of stitching as to provide a very secure and adequate junction to survive testing of the assembled buckle and belt to a pound-test well in excess of the designed strength of the individual webbing section 21, 22, 24 and 25.

In FIGS. 2 and 3 the free end 24 of the belt is shown in its intertwined position, section 25 having the tension of pull toward the right (FIG. 2) away from the buckle. The belt encircles guide 4.2 which is cylindrical in shape and which fits about cross-pin 38 in a somewhat floating relationship.

Guide cylinder piece 42 may move left to right (FIG.

3) when not encircled by the belt section 9. The belt is threaded through the portion designated at 8 of FIG. 5 and lays on top of the tensioned section 25 of the belt. When the buckle device is loosened, and the belt section 24 is removed from its threaded condition, leaving space 8 void, then cross-pin 38 may be moved foreward sufficiently for the pin 38 to be removed from the buckle by sliding sideways the pin 38, through cutout out holes 39 for such removal action. This also allows removal of the floating cylindrical bar 42. This cylindrical bar 42 is a very necessary part of the construction of the device since the tightening action of the web 25 and the forced movement of cross-pin 38 with the cylindrical bar 42 about it succeeds in a gripping action between section 5 of part 3 when tightening of the belt causes pulling and forceful pressuring of cylindrical bar 42 and cross-pin 6 against bar section 5, tightly gripping web section 8 as shown in FIG. 3 in its open relationship and then in FIG. 2 in its closed and tightened relationship. This squeezing action and serrated formations on the cylindrical bar 42 sufficiently prevent loosening of the belt once tightened.

As the handle section 2 is closed from the open position, as shown in FIG. 3, to its closed position, as shown in FIG. 2, the lip of section 2 snaps under the resilient catch 12 at surface portion 13. The catch 12 is integrally composed and and connected by cross-sectional piece 11 to the body portion of section ,3. The catch 12 provision may be located conveniently in other interaction ways than that shown.

In FIG. 2 the arrows at either end of the figure indicate the directional pull of the belt ends to cause the tightening upon the buckle when securing cargo or otherwise being utilized as a buckle and web assembly. FIG. 2 further indicates the planes within which significant actions and directions of force take place when the buckle is tightened in its closed relationship. Plane A (the hinge section of the buckle) lies parallel to but spaced between planes C and B as shown. Plane B represents the plane of force of the assembled buckle upon cross-member 19 and plane C represents the plane of force (in an opposite direction) for the force on cylinder 42 and pin 6 assembly. The movement of the handle section 2 from open position (FIG. 3) brings the force or action of pull along the face of bar 19 below plane A or what might be considered the fulcrum point of the buckle. Thus a somewhat toggle action results and assists the retention of the buckle in a closed position without the catch 12. Provision of catch 12 and its action merely further prevents accidental unlocking of the toggle action of the buckle assembly when in tightened condition. The tighter the buckle and web is urged, the harder it becomes to open or lift handle section 2 because of the toggle action and pull.

It is obvious that the bottom surface 35 of the section 3 sometimes seats against whatever is being secured or tied and a metal buckle would scratch such surfaces as a car or snowmobile. The use of a completely plastic, such as nylon, buckle eliminates severe damage. Likewise, the use of a moulded plastic buckle provides a relatively inexpensive buckle and an extremely strong device.

FIG. 6 illustrates the adaption of a paddle lock for locking the buckle in its closed position by providing in an extension 44 of the catch 12 a hole through which a paddle lock can be inserted. The paddle lock 46 would be of a size to prevent opening the buckle when so secured. Obviously a fiber or nylon web belt can be cut and such a lock action would be more psychological than a firm deterrent from theft.

Although but a single embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A buckle and belt assembly, comprising:

a first member serving as a handle portion of the buckle, a second member being a body portion of the buckle and having a hinged connection with the first member,

a cross-bar ortion inte ral with said firstmember, a second cr ss-bar porfion integral with said second member, a looped section of the belt encircling both of said cross-bar portions of the buckle assembly,

a cross-member portion of said second member being integral therewith and being spaced from the hinge axis,

a cylindrical cross-piece, means for supporting the cylindrical cross-piece for movement to and from said cross-member of said second member whereby a space for accommodating a section of the belt is provided therebetween,

a belt section encircling said cylindrical cross-piece and extending through said space between said cylindrical cross-piece and the cross-member section, the action of the buckle from an open and loose belt position to a closed buckle and tightened belt position providing for hinged movement of the cross-bar portion of the first member from within a plane above the plane of the hinge of the buckle and above a plane within which the cylindrical cross-piece lies to a plane below the planes within which both the hinge and cylindrical cross-piece lie as the buckle becomes closed, said cross-bar of the first member and the cylindrical cross-piece both being spaced to one side of the hinge axis when the buckle is in closed position,

, Tension on the belt providing for gripping action of the belt between the cylindrical cross-piece and said cross-member of the second member sufficient to securely hold the belt and prevent slipping of the belt section from said gripping action.

2. The buckle and belt assembly described in claim 1 wherein the cylindrical cross-piece becomes removable when the belt section encircling the said cylindrical cross-piece is removed.

3. The buckle and belt assembly described in claim 2 wherein an interaction catch between the first member and the second member effectively locks the handle first member in its closed relationship with the second member.

4. The buckle and belt assembly described in claim 3 wherein the buckle members and interaction catch are formed from resilient plastic material to permit diss lodging of the catch by physical means to permit unlocking and unloosening of the buckle and belt assembly from its secured condition.

5. The buckle and belt assembly described in claim I wherein the means for supporting the cylindrical crosspiece comprises a cross-pin and slots within the body portion of the buckle and wherein the cross-pin provides the means for controlling and limiting the motion of the cylindrical cross-piece during operation of the buckle and belt assembly. 

1. A buckle and belt assembly, comprising: a first member serving as a handle portion of the buckle, a second member being a body portion of the buckle and having a hinged connection with the first member, a cross-bar portion integral with said first member, a second cross-bar portion integral with said second member, a looped section of the belt encircling both of said cross-bar portions of the buckle assembly, a cross-member portion of said second member being integral therewith and being spaced from the hinge axis, a cylindrical cross-piece, means for supporting the cylindrical cross-piece for movement to and from said cross-member of said second member whereby a space for accommodating a section of the belt is provided therebetween, a belt section encircling said cylindrical cross-piece and extending through said space between said cylindrical cross-piece and the cross-member section, the action of the buckle from an open and loose belt position to a closed buckle and tightened belt position providing for hinged movement of the cross-bar portion of the first member from within a plane above the plane of the hinge of the buckle and above a plane within which the cylindrical cross-piece lies to a plane below the planes within which both the hinge and cylindrical cross-piece lie as the buckle becomes closed, said cross-bar of the first member and the cylindrical cross-piece both being spaced to one side of the hinge axis when the buckle is in closed position, Tension on the belt providing for gripping action of the belt between the cylindrical cross-piece and said cross-member of the second member sufficient to securely hold the belt and prevent slipping of the belt section from said gripping action.
 1. A buckle and belt assembly, comprising: a first member serving as a handle portion of the buckle, a second member being a body portion of the buckle and having a hinged connection with the first member, a cross-bar portion integral with said first member, a second cross-bar portion integral with said second member, a looped section of the belt encircling both of said cross-bar portions of the buckle assembly, a cross-member portion of said second member being integral therewith and being spaced from the hinge axis, a cylindrical cross-piece, means for supporting the cylindrical cross-piece for movement to and from said cross-member of said second member whereby a space for accommodating a section of the belt is provided therebetween, a belt section encircling said cylindrical cross-piece and extending through said space between said cylindrical crosspiece and the cross-member section, the action of the buckle from an open and loose belt position to a closed buckle and tightened belt position providing for hinged movement of the cross-bar portion of the first member from within a plane above the plane of the hinge of the buckle and above a plane within which the cylindrical cross-piece lies to a plane below the planes within which both the hinge and cylindrical cross-piece lie as the buckle becomes closed, said cross-bar of the first member and the cylindrical cross-piece both being spaced to one side of the hinge axis when the buckle is in closed position, Tension on the belt providing for gripping action of the belt between the cylindrical cross-piece and said cross-member of the second member sufficient to securely hold the belt and prevent slipping of the belt section from said gripping action.
 2. The buckle anD belt assembly described in claim 1 wherein the cylindrical cross-piece becomes removable when the belt section encircling the said cylindrical cross-piece is removed.
 3. The buckle and belt assembly described in claim 2 wherein an interaction catch between the first member and the second member effectively locks the handle first member in its closed relationship with the second member.
 4. The buckle and belt assembly described in claim 3 wherein the buckle members and interaction catch are formed from resilient plastic material to permit disslodging of the catch by physical means to permit unlocking and unloosening of the buckle and belt assembly from its secured condition. 